Open Paws, Open Book

They would be if we ran the lounge like a petting zoo — so we don't. The Cat Lounge is capped at 40 guests at a time, visits are booked in advance, our team is trained to read stress signals, and every cat can step away to the Cat Care Center whenever they want. Most of our residents choose to be in the lounge because that's where the sunbeams and the attention are.

Our café and lounge are connected but designed as separate spaces. Food and drinks can be enjoyed in both areas, with food and drink preparation taking place on the café side. We follow applicable Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation food-service requirements while maintaining a clean, comfortable environment for both our guests and cats.

We understand that people may have different views about animals living and interacting with people in commercial spaces. We believe it can be ethical when the cats' welfare comes first — with excellent care, choice, rest, enrichment and a safe environment designed around their needs.

Not at all. Our guests are students, remote workers, retirees, couples on dates and families.

Guests of all ages are welcome at Pink Paws Cat Cafe. Children under 3 are free and are not counted toward the guest total, but must be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult. Children under 12 must be supervised by a parent or responsible adult at all times. Parents and supervising adults count toward the total number of guests; children under 3 do not.

The lounge is a cat space, so dander is present. HEPA filtration and frequent cleaning help, but guests with severe allergies should consult their doctor first. The café side is a lower-exposure environment.

As a licensed food-service establishment, Pink Paws Cat Cafe is inspected by the Florida DBPR. Required permits, licenses and inspection information are available for guests to view in our café space.